The American auto giant – General Motors (GM) and the Japanese multinational – Honda Motor Company – have recently announced the start of their new partnership to develop a series of codes for affordable electric vehicles based on a new global architecture. The two companies will use next-generation ultram battery technology in the upcoming operation.
In addition, GM and Honda will discuss the possibility of a future EV battery technology partnership to reduce electrification costs as well as increase efficiency and ensure future vehicle durability.
The two companies will partner with each other to allow worldwide production of millions of electric vehicles, including compact crossovers. Activities will begin in 2027, combining the technology, design and sourcing strategies of both brands. The companies will also collaborate to standardize equipment and procedures to achieve world-class quality, increased throughput and lower costs. The focus of this collaboration will be primarily on small crossovers as the market for this segment of vehicles is the largest in the world with annual sales of over 13 million vehicles.
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Currently, General Motors is working on the development of lithium-metal, silicon and solid-state batteries, as well as production methods that can be used quickly to improve and update battery cell manufacturing processes. Meanwhile, Honda is advancing its all-solid-state battery technology. The Japanese automaker has also built a display line for all-solid-state batteries in Japan and is moving closer to mainstream production.
Speaking on the announcement of the new partnership, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said, “GM and Honda North will share our best technology, design and production strategies to deliver affordable and desirable EVs worldwide, including our core markets: America, South America and China. “This is a key step towards achieving carbon neutrality in our global products and activities by 2040 and eliminating tailpipe emissions from light duty vehicles in the United States by 2035. Together, we will bring people around the world into the EV,” he added. Faster than any company can achieve on its own. “
Meanwhile, Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe commented, “Honda is committed to achieving the goal of global carbon neutrality by 2050, which requires reducing the cost of electric vehicles so that EV ownership is possible for the maximum number of customers. Mibe added, “Honda and GM will build on the foundation of our successful technology collaboration to help us achieve dramatic expansion in sales of electric vehicles.”
This is not the first time that two producers have joined hands. In 2013, the two companies began working together on the co-development of next-generation fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies. They merged in 2018 when Honda joined GM’s EV battery module development efforts. In addition, the companies have an ongoing relationship with Cruise and are working together to develop the Cruise Origin, one of the first purpose-built fully autonomous vehicles designed for driverless ride-haul and delivery.
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